Calgary has been named an “Emerging Ecosystem to Watch” in Startup Genome’s 2025 Global Startup Ecosystem Report (GSER), as the city’s tech sector continues to diversify and grow rapidly.
According to the report, Calgary’s startup ecosystem is now valued at $6.7 billion, marking a 13% increase since 2023. The city ranks among the Top 30 ecosystems in North America and the Top 50 emerging ecosystems globally, earning high marks for its affordability and strong startup return on investment.
Calgary placed in the Top 10 in North America for talent affordability and ranked among the Top 15 ecosystems globally for value — meaning startups here achieve more growth, traction, and runway for every dollar spent.
Startup Genome attributes the city’s rise to a combination of factors, including close collaboration between public and private stakeholders and targeted support for innovation. Organizations like Calgary Economic Development, Platform Calgary, and the University of Calgary are playing key roles in supporting startups at every stage.
“There is something special happening here in Calgary,” said Terry Rock, President and CEO of Platform Calgary. “Despite headwinds facing a lot of other tech ecosystems, Calgary’s incredible resilience and growth are on full display. Platform Calgary and our network of partner organizations play an important role in this journey, uniting entrepreneurs, investors, and partners at the Platform Innovation Centre to support founders at every stage of their journey. Together, we are building a tech ecosystem that is the best place in the world for anyone to launch and grow a tech startup.”
Brad Parry, President and CEO of Calgary Economic Development, echoed this optimism: “Calgary is a launchpad for the next generation of global innovators. With the right talent, cost advantage, and momentum behind us, we’re scaling companies that are shaping the future — from fintech to cleantech and beyond.”
Building on this progress, Calgary is advancing its Innovation Strategy — a blueprint to transform the city into Canada’s innovation capital. The strategy focuses on building a network of innovation nodes across sectors like cleantech, life sciences, digital media, and aerospace.
With a nearly tenfold increase in venture capital investment since 2018, the strategy sets an ambitious goal: to create 187,000 new jobs and contribute $28 billion to Calgary’s economy by 2034.
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